In a joint statement issued after its meeting here today, JMCIM praised the HSR Work Group for the substantive progress made in the planning of Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project.

JMCIM noted that discussions on the commercial, regulatory, security and technical issues were ongoing, it said.

Tuesday’s meeting, which was co-chaired by Singapore’s Infrastructure and Transport Coordinating Minister Khaw Boon Wan, and Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, marked the 10th year collaboration since its establishment in 2007.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Singapore’s National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, and several senior officials from both countries.

According to the statement, during the meeting Malaysia and Singapore also reaffirmed the progress of Iskandar Malaysia and reiterated their commitment to its continued development.

The committee had also welcomed the increase in frequency of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd Tebrau shuttle between Johor Baharu and Woodlands to 22 from 14 services daily which saw an accompanying increase in riderships as well.

Both parties were also pleased to note that the Industrial Cooperation Work Group (ICWG) in four areas — advanced material engineering, electronics, food and creative services — were progressing well.

For food, the ICWG will roll out a series of activities including the coming outreach seminar on opportunities in Malaysia for the halal sector and a possible site visit to an industrial halal park in the country, said JMCIM.

Citing Malaysian Investment Development Authority’s statistics, the committee was pleased to see Singapore-based food manufacturing companies have invested a total of RM364 million in Iskandar Malaysia.